Plants of the Bible: Ivy (Hedera helix)
Karen This evergreen climbing vine is a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera and is native to most of Europe and western Asia where it…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Also called Indian cress, this trailing annual is in the family Tropaeolaceae and is native to the Andes from Bolivia to Colombia. Plants grow 2-12″ tall or more with support…
Plant Profile: Stone Pine (Pinus pinea aka Apinus pinea)
Also known as umbrella pine and parasol pine, this coniferous evergreen tree is native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It is a member of…
Beneficial Insects and How to Attract Them: Brown Lacewings
Brown lacewings are in the insect family Hemerobiidae and are more closely related to duskywings than to green lacewings. Although common world wild, brown lacewings are most abundant in North…
Plant Profile: Arabian Balsam Tree (Commiphora gileadensis aka C. opobalsamum)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is found in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southern Oman, Sudan and in southeast Egypt and is a member of the torchwood family, Burseraceae, that also…
Plants of the Bible: Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Native to semi-arid and tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, this slender, much branched, evergreen shrub or small tree is also known as mignonette tree and Egyptian privet.…
Plant Profile: Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii var. splendens aka Euphorbia splendens)
Native to Madagascar, this evergreen semi-succulent shrub is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbaceae, that also includes pointsettia, croton, and castor oil plant. The plants grow up to 6′…
Plant Combination: Oriental Lily (Lilium) ‘Casablanca’ and Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) ‘Cosmopolitan’
This grass and lily combination combines a strong echo of color and strong contrast of form, size and texture. Japanese silver grass ‘Cosmopolitan’ is a tall grass with white variegation…
Plant Profile: St. Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Known by many names including holy thistle, milk thistle and our Lady’s thistle, this annual or biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, tht also includes daisy, sunflower,…
Plants of the Bible: Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
This upright evergreen shrub grown in the Mediterranean area since ancient times is a member of the Myrtaceae family that also includes clove and eucalyptus. It grows up to 30′…